[Lupin]

Hi, apologies if this has been done to death...I can't find any threads that answer it but point me in the right direction if there are...

What is the advantage with front loading washing machines? Is it really more cost effective to buy a new washing maching in the UK and ship it out than buy one in NZ?

My fridge freezer is third hand leaking junk so we thought we'd buy a new, more energy efficient one in NZ but I get the impression it would be wiser to buy it here and ship it. Is that true? Is it really so much cheaper in the UK for these things?

[Diny]

Hey here's a turn up for the books ..... I'm going to sing the praises of NZ against the UK !!!!!!

We bought a top loader washing washing machine (Fisher & Paykell) when we got here. Can't give the exact cost but it was around $800 - it's a big one.

I would chose a top loader over a front loader any day of the week. They seem to hold alot more, they're quick, energy efficient and really good for when you realise you've dropped your knickers (eek) on the way to the laundry - you just lift the lid and throw them in (lid is not locked until spin cycle).

People rant on about how a front loader is cleaner (something to do with the dirt going to the bottom of the water) ... hhhhmmmm - can't say I buy into that one. I guess it all depends how dirty your washing is.

Don't suppose I've been much help to you though.

Diny

[willsken]

We asked a man in a shop in NZ and he said it was because NZers had a lot bigger houses and don't need to put the washing machines in the Kitchen under the counter...... hummmm OK!!!! Still puzzling on that one! :roll

[Jameelka]

Now you have me wondering now Diny!
Should I buy a washing machine over in the UK and have to wait 3-4 months before we get it,or buy a top loader over in NZ after we find a rented house,mmmm !??
Good question!!??

[Smiler]

Lupin

I've just bought a new fridge freezer here in NZ. I looked around avoiding Fisher and Paykel ones as the one in our last rental had a few faults from new. I wanted a Samsung or LG type make but not a extra wide one either.

I found this one http://www.samsung.com/nz/products/refrigerators/upsidedown/srl317np.asp for between $1200 - 1400 in the shops but got a 6 month old one on TM for $700. Hope that helps with some price comparisons.

I also found that Noel Leeming appliance type shops were less inclined to give you a discount or knock off the delivery charge than the independant shops. Delivery was about $40.

Jameelka has a thread on washing machines just above this thread.

If you rent, your place is likely to come with appliances included.

[sizzlingbadger]

You can always rent a washing machine when you arrive. We did that with a local Wellington firm, cost $75 for three months. Much cheaper than DTR.

It was worth doing as when we did get our front loader back we decided we actually like the top loaders better. Plus our front loader wouldn't fit into the laundry space. Although very reluctant to get rid of our Bosch machine I love the top loaders, no more back ache bending down trying to squeeze the washing in :D

Plenty of choice also with fridge freezers we bought ours here, in hindsight it may have been cheaper in the UK. But then you don't know where you'll end up living, you may find your new one from the UK won't fit and you'll end up having to buy another one here.

[Diny]

We've just bought a 42" flat screen TV from Leader & Watt (a couple of branches up here in the Manawatu but have no idea whether they are nationwide or not). We got $500 knocked off the price !!!!!!!

This morning I have been out and bought a stainless steel dishwasher from Harvey Norman and got $150 knocked off.

Our fridge freezer (which we bought about 6 months ago) is a Fisher & Paykell and it's not given us a moments grief - neither has the Fisher & Paykell top loader washer ............ but now I've said that just you watch them both conk out now.

Diny

[Jameelka]

Diny can I be rude and ask how much u paid for the TV?
I would like at least a 32" screen.
There was a 42" on one of the shopping channels in the UK here last night and it went for £999 + £50 pp,how does that compare?
:raebanana

[Diny]

Not being rude at all ..... with the discount we paid $2499. We also got a DVD recorder thrown in for free.

It's a Sony WEGA something .... don't know the specifics - but I can report it has a blooming good picture.

Diny

[Jameelka]

That was a good buy then! :raebanana